The production was originally due to play through April 12, and had already extended its run to Sept. 27; now, 100,000 extra tickets are scheduled to go on sale for performances to Jan. 3, 2010. The extra dates will go on sale beginning May 4. The show has already set records as the highest-grossing weekly show in the history of the Lyric Theatre.

Described in press materials as "a spectacular, high-octane concert specially created to celebrate the career of the world's greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5," the cast now includes "X Factor" finalist Maria Lawson.

Originally rejected by Simon Cowell at the "bootcamp" rounds in 2004, she was one of the favorites to win the television talent contest in 2005 under mentor Sharon Osbourne, who claimed on her behalf that she was a victim of the "Irish Mafia," referring to Irish judge Louis Walsh's decision to vote her off in favor of Irish act The Conway Sisters. This caused a media uproar, and Walsh threatened to quit the show after days of negative press. In her early rounds on the program, Lawson sang Michael Jackon's "The Way You Make Me Feel," which she performs now in Thriller – Live. She subsequently was signed to Sony BMG in 2006, which took her to L.A. to record her debut album with a song written especially for her by Diane Warren. Her self-titled album was released later that year and charted in the Top 40 and led to a Top 20 single. She also became a model for lingerie company Bravissimo. Her second album, "Emotional Rollercoaster," is due out later this year and has been produced by Brian Rawling, who has worked with one of her idols, Tina Turner. She has also written a book about her experiences, "Life Starts Now."

To book tickets for Thriller – Live, contact the box office at 0844 412 4661 or visit www.nimaxtheatres.com/thriller.